Mark, et al.,

Let me clarify what David really wanted to know. In an attempt to
demonstrate the difference  between the light pattern of the e-code
headlights vs. the US-spec rectagular lowbeams, I put a set of e-codes
in his hands and told him to see if he likes them better than the
present lights he has in his 90 GL.

He had hoped he could just plug the bulbs in the stock US set-up for
testing purposes. He thought this because I told him at one point that
it might be a possibility. It was very late at night and I was tired
when I told him that. Plus it had been nearly a decade since I
installed e-codes in my Vanagon and simply could not recall.

Since David had not gotten the exact answer he was after, I pulled a
bulb out of a DOT headlight and hopefully clarified the difference to
him somewhat. The H4 bulbs engage the housing with 3 tabs sort of like
a modified 'Y'. Each tab is sized so it can only fit the housing one
way - rightside up. The DOT bulb OTOH is like an 'O' with notches cut
in a similar Y-layout. No way for the two to interchange without
surgery.

With that in mind, the H4's in question are for sale for $275. Used
and lenses only.

Regards,

BenT
Sent from my mobile device

On Nov 10, 2009, at 10:01 AM, Mark Tuovinen <aksyncronaut@GMAIL.COM>
wrote:

> You have two challenges with this.  The bulb to the light housing
> and the
> connector to the bulb.  The wiring issue is the easiest you either
> cut and
> splice the correct connector in place or make an adapter which would
> be more
> difficult but not impossible.  The bigger problem is that 9004 and
> H4 bulbs
> use two different methods to secure to the light housing.  If your
> goal is
> better light output from stock US market rectangular headlights
> circa 1986 -
> 91 changing the bulb will not do much.  The problem is the lens and
> reflector not the bulb.  There are cars that use a four bulb system
> and both
> the high and low beam bulbs are the same style, it is the reflector
> that
> differentiates the two.
>
> What problem are you trying to cure and on what year van?
>
> Mark in AK    living in the land of perpetual dark